Walking past the Star Supply Stores in Garnant, Carmarthenshire, at 10.15 p.m. on Saturday, February 12th, 1921, Mrs. Diana Bowen heard a scream and a thud, but thought it was just an accident inside the shop. Next morning police discovered the body of Thomas Thomas, 44, the manager. He had suffered horrific head, throat and stomach wounds, all inflicted with a broom found near the body covered in blood.
Mr. Thomas was doing the store accounts when he was attacked. There was no sign of a break-in, so the killer must have secreted himself in the cellar on Saturday night before the store closed, letting himself out by the back door. The motive was robbery about £120, a considerable sum of money in those days, was missing.